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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Too Pooped to Post

Just wanted to write a quick note to explain my absence lately. We spent the weekend driving back and forth to my hometown of Rochester, NY, for a family funeral. Traffic and a closed road Friday afternoon led to a 10-hour drive to get there, arriving at my dad's house at 11 pm, then a very long day Saturday with the funeral home, church service, cemetery service, and family meal, followed by an 8-hour trip home on Sunday.

As you can imagine, I was pretty wiped out Monday morning...but I still had to go out to get some groceries and a new phone (ours broke Friday). Today was a two-hour initial meeting with a disability lawyer, which was the last straw. I'm pooped - achy and sore throaty and out of energy.

I really intended to write about my newest treatment (using beta-blockers to help control OI), but I just can't put cohesive thoughts together to explain anything medical right now. Maybe tomorrow. Looks like take-out for dinner tonight.

I was diagnosed with 'fatigue' on Monday, 14th Feb by my endocrinologist. Couldn't understand why I felt so AWFUL! Have a history of hypothyroidism but everything came back normal so not taking meds. Felt like crying when the thyroid results initially came back...thought either I was crazy or my doctor was because it left me with.."Then what the h is wrong with me!". I am so happy to have found this blog. Feel like I have kindred spirits. As I read through all of your posts I keep saying...yeah that's me! Thank you:)

I'm so glad to hear you have found some comfort and camaraderie here - welcome!!

Don't settle for a diagnosis of "fatigue" - that's meaningless and a cop-out by that doctor! Fatigue is a symptom, not a diagnosis, that can be caused by LOTS of different medical conditions.

If you think you might have CFS, take a look at these websites to help you decide:

The CDCs definition of CFS (it's not perfect but it covers the major bases):http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/general/symptoms/index.html

The symptom referred to as post-exertional malaise is a critical component of CFS - that's when exertion makes all your symptoms much worse. So, if you took a walk or went to the grocery store, later that day or the next day, you would suddenly feel like you have the flu.

Here's a self-quiz for CFS:http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/do-i-have-cfids.asp

More info about diagnosing CFS:

http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/diagnosis.asp

And a list of lab tests that can help to confirm or rule out CFS:http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/diagnostic-testing.asp

If your symptoms DON"T fit CFS, then use the list on the above page to help narrow down what might be causing your fatigue. Don't give up! Finding the underlying cause of your fatigue will help you to find treatments that can help you feel better. Hypothyroidism alone causes fatigue, but it should improve dramatically with treatment.

No matter how things turn out for you, you are welcome here! Please let me know how things are going for you -

Sue, I hope you bounce back quickly. It makes me smile when I see that, even when you're under the weather, you're there to reach out to new followers and share your wealth of information with them. We're all blessed to have you.

I have had Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) since March 2002. Both of my sons also got ME/CFS at ages 6 and 10. Our younger son fully recovered after 10 years of mild illness. Our older son still has ME/CFS and also has Lyme disease plus two other tick infections. This blog is about how our family lives with chronic illness, with a focus on living and enjoying our lives in spite of these challenges.

About Me

I'm a freelance writer who loves to read and cook. My husband and I have two sons, and we all enjoy travel and being outdoors. My older son and I both have chronic illnesses, but we focus on finding joy in every day!